Balanced Literacy

When teachers talk about balanced literacy, we are talking about a philosophy, an approach to teaching reading. It may look very different at various grade levels, it may even look different from room to room. This philosophy is based on the premise that there should be a balance of activities provided in different modalities, so that learning takes place. Students get to see the strategies in action. The students are listening to and seeing literacy strategies modeled. They are practicing strategies with the support of the teacher and then using the strategy independently. The components of the program can include: Read-alouds, shared reading, guided reading and independent reading.

Students begin the school year with a teacher assessment. Their instruction is based upon where they are developmentally. This will allow the teacher to individualize instruction that meets the children where they are. The teacher uses state and district guidelines to create strategy lessons that focus on the needs of the individual child.

The Read Aloud component is just what it states. The teacher reads text to the children at or above the independent reading level. This helps them to become familiar with a wide range of genre. It also provides students with the experience of hearing intonation and fluency.

The Shared Reading is an opportunity for students to read together. Mini-lessons for spelling explorations and reading are included here. This provides a time for the students to make approximations.

The Guided Reading process is where small groups of children meet with the teacher to work on a strategy. Small groups of students work with a teacher selected text to practice literacy strategies with support. The teacher forms flexible groups based upon on-going assessments.

Independent Reading is where the children make their own book choices and read independently. The students are shown how to choose a "just right book." It is here that they practice their skills. This is much like a child learning to ride a bike. The bike has to be "just right" and has to be ridden frequently in order for mastery to occur. Once mastered, bike riding is enjoyable.

Back to Curriculum Page